Diane Burgis, candidate for Contra Costa County Supervisor, District III, announced she had received the endorsement of the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay.

“Diane Burgis is committed to standing up for a clean environment,” said Beth Gunston, President of the Board of Directors of the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay. “As executive director of the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and a trustee of the East Bay Regional Park District, Diane has been fighting for clean water and open space throughout her personal and professional life.”

“I believe it is critical that we protect our natural resources for future generations to enjoy,” said Burgis. “I am pleased that the League of Conservation Voters of the East Bay has recognized my work to protect the Delta and ensure that our environment is healthy and open space is preserved.”

The mission of LCVEB is to further environmental and public health protections in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties by electing environmental leaders to local office.

Burgis has also earned the endorsement of retiring Supervisor Mary Piepho, former Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan, and more than 30 locally elected officials and community leaders. Recently, she was honored by the Contra Costa Women’s Hall of Fame with the Women Improving the Environment Award for her work with the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed.

Campaign finance reports were due on Thursday, April 28 and all six candidates for District 3 County Supervisor submitted their reports required for any candidate who has raised or spent at least $2,000 in their campaign, this year. The reporting period is from January 1 through April 23, 2016.

Oakley Councilman Doug Hardcastle leads the pack with the most received at $37,511.16 and spent at $34,642.80. But, $15,500 was from loans he made to his campaign. The total also includes non-monetary contributions of $5,000. He had $2,868.36 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.

Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson raised the most in monetary contributions at $25,589.76 with $5,179 of that amount transferred from her 2016 City Council reelection campaign committee. But, she spent $26,046.19 and had $14,587.85 in unpaid bills, with an ending cash balance of $14,249.48. Most of Wilson’s contributions were from, and most of the money was spent outside of the district, with the majority of it spent out of state. UPDATE 05-02-16: Wilson’s finance reports from her 2016 City Council re-election campaign committee have been posted, below. They show $4,700 in itemized contributions of $100 or more, all of it from outside of both the City of Antioch and Supervisor District 3.

East Bay Regional Parks District Board Member Diane Burgis is in second place for monetary contributions with $18,857 and Brentwood Councilman Steve Barr is in a close third at $18,685. But Barr is in second for total contributions at $28,335 which include a $5,000 loan from him and his wife, and $4,650 in non-monetary contributions. Two of Burgis’ largest contributions were received from Supervisors Mary Piepho and John Gioia at the maximum of $1,675 each. She has spent the second most at $26,568.86, had $15,271.21 in unpaid bills and an ending cash balance of $7,659.90. Barr spent $26,009, had $18,585 in unpaid bills, but $20,911 in cash on hand.

NAACP East County Branch President Odessa Lefrancois raised $11,885, with her largest contribution of $5,000 coming from Public Employees Union Local #1, of which she’s a member. Her campaign spent $9,277.80 and had $2,607.20 cash on hand at the end of the reporting period. Antioch Mayor Wade Harper’s campaign received $8,050, including his largest contribution of $2,000 from Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3. He spent $5,663.54 and had $2,386.46 cash on hand.

See the complete financial reports for each of the candidates, with details of who has contributed more than $100 and to whom more than $100 was paid, here:

NOTE: The two additional financial reports from Monica Wilson were for her 2016 City Council campaign committee, since she transferred funds from that committee to her Supervisor campaign committee.

Publisher’s Note: For full disclosure and as explained in the March issue of the Antioch Herald, I, the writer of this article, am the paid consultant for Doug Hardcastle’s campaign for County Supervisor.

Brentwood City Councilman and Supervisorial candidate Steve Barr’s endorsement by the Brentwood Police Officers’ Association is a clear example of what is wrong with California politics and government leadership.

A city councilman and/or supervisor is on the management side of the negotiation for pay, benefits, pensions, working rules, etc. with labor groups. Having their endorsement and, in all probability financial support, during the campaign, leads to the distinct possibility of a pay back or reward for that support during contract negotiations. The second problem with this arrangement is that the only people left out of that negotiation are the taxpayers, the people who have to pay for the results of that negotiation. It is especially easy to give pay increases and other benefits when you are negotiating with other people’s money.

I support Doug Hardcastle for Supervisor in District 3. Doug and his wife Linda have owned and successfully operated Hardcastle’s RV in the county since 1972. He was on the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board of Directors from 2000 until 2012 and a member of the Oakley City Council since 2012, serving as Mayor, last year. He is Chairman of Transplan (the East County transportation board), Chairman of the State Route 4 Bypass Authority and is Vice Chairman of the Tri Delta Transit Authority. Doug is a successful, independent leader who understands the need for private sector economic development and jobs in East County and has proven his ability to lead in the public sector. But, most of all, he is working for all the people of East County, not just a chosen few.

In a bid to buck the conventional wisdom that says millennials don’t vote, the Contra Costa County Young Democrats (CCYD) today launched one of the largest youth voter engagement project of its kind in California.

“Many people in politics assume that young people don’t vote,” said Jonathan Bash, President of the Contra Costa County Young Democrats. “That assumption is dead wrong. The truth is that those running most campaigns elect not to reach out to people under the age of forty out of sheer habit. This June, we’re going to change that.”

In partnership with the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County and the Contra Costa County Democratic Clubs Council, CCYD will lead the charge to turn out the youth vote in Contra Costa County with a major voter engagement campaign. The campaign is made possible by a $50,000 contribution from NextGen Climate President and Founder Tom Steyer, as part of his ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots democracy and boost voter turnout in California this election cycle.

In the first phase of the project, CCYD will recruit three fellows from Diablo Valley College, Saint Mary’s College of California, and Los Medanos College, establish ten incentive grants for star volunteers, host on-campus events, and coordinate volunteers throughout the county to register voters — and convince voters to become Permanent Absentee Voters (PAV) – at public gatherings like farmers’ markets, concerts and community festivals

In the second phase, CCYD will turn out these newly registered voters and reach out to currently registered voters between the ages of 18-39. Each of the voters will receive a number of contacts encouraging them to vote in the June 7, 2016 statewide primary election. Additionally, the three fellows, volunteers, project partners and additional canvassers will execute a Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign knocking on young voters’ front doors to convince them to vote.

In the third phase, CCYD will conduct a precinct-by-precinct analysis of its efforts to identify best practices and adapt them for the November 8, 2016 general election.

The Contra Costa Young Democrats (CCYD) is a nonprofit organization chartered to educate young people about the political process and advocate for progressive policies. CCYD engages Contra Costa County’s many communities and empowers young people to take active roles in public life.

NextGen Climate Action is a San Francisco-based environmental advocacy organization. Founded by businessperson and philanthropist Tom Steyer in 2013, NextGen acts politically to prevent climate disaster and promote prosperity for all Americans. Working at every level, we are committed to supporting candidates, elected officials, and policymakers across the country that will take bold action on climate change.

There’s an old expression about politics that goes like this “All politics are based on the indifference of the majority.” (James Reston). Let me reword it this way – all politics are local and politicians count on the ignorance of voters.” Do your own research and remember that when candidates are endorsed and elected by unions or a particular political party, they are no longer “independent” legislators. Newspaper endorsements can also be biased. Be sure you know the rules. June 7th is a primary race. The top 2 vote getters will move onto the November 8th general election.

Speaking of endorsements, let’s look at the candidates for District 3, an open seat due to Mary Piepho‘s decision to retire and District 5, where Federal Glover is again running for re-election.

DISTRICT 3 – Includes most of Antioch, all of south side of Highway 4

STEVE BARR – Current Brentwood City Council member (term expires November 2018) Endorsed as best pick for Supervisor by the Contra Costa Times. Here are a few facts you may not know: Barr switched parties from Democrat to Republican in 2015 in time to run for the seat held by Mary Piepho, who is a Republican. He is one of two Brentwood councilmen who replaced non-elected directors on the East Contra Costa Fire District Board. The Board which gave its firefighter a 5% across the board raise, hasn’t solved the lack of fire services in Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen. They tried to pass two taxes but failed both times. My biggest beef with him is, although he was opposed to a project labor agreement the City used on its new city hall, he was seated on the council when they unanimously agreed to move forward with creating a project labor agreement to build the Brentwood library. Should we call him a “flip flopper”?

DIANE BURGIS: Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed, sits on the Regional Planning Committee for ABAG. Prior to being elected to the EBRPD Board in November 2014, she sat on the Oakley City Council, being elected just two years before in 2012. Burgis also served on the Delta Protection Commission, executive Board for the East Bay League of Cities and Transportation, Communications and Public Works Policy Committee for the League of California Cities representing the Woman’s Caucus. She currently serves as Ward 7 Director of East Bay Regional Park District and has incumbent Mary Piepho’s backing.

DOUG HARDCASTLE – Owner of Hardcastle RV Center in Oakley, for more than 40 years. Served as Director on the Ironhouse Sanitary District Board from 2000 to 2012 and President of Board from 2010-2011. Elected to the Oakley City Council in 2012 and just completed a year as Mayor. Endorsed by current Mayor Kevin Romick and Bill Baker, former US Representative for California’s 10th Congressional District. Small business owners are the backbone of the U.S. economy. Hardcastle is especially concerned about economic development, local jobs, public safety, improved roads and transportation and protecting the Delta and open space.

WADE HARPER – Flip flopper. In 2008 when getting appointed to the Antioch School Board he committed to running for re-election in 2010, instead he ran for City Council and then for the Mayor’s seat. In an accelerated swearing in ceremony in December 2012, held in order to allow the new mayor and council members to reverse the previously signed contract with APOA, which changed the 3% at 50 pension calculation to a 3% at 55 formula. This was done in order to avoid having to adhere to a new voter approved law which would take effect on January 1, 2012 reducing the pension formula for new police hires from 2% at 50 to 2.7% at age 55 and freezing benefit formulas for lateral hires.

After committing to being a full-time Mayor if elected, he got a job teaching for the Antioch school district. In June 2014 he implied commitment to allow a citizens group to move forward on plans for a park and event center on the former lumber yard site, then voted to sell it to a developer. In October 2015 he made a commitment to Senator Steve Glazer to not run for higher office when hired as a field rep. Two months later, he quit the job to run for Supervisor. He is endorsed by The Antioch Education Association, the professional organization and bargaining unit for all the teachers of Antioch Unified School District, Council woman Mary Rocha, and Councilman Tony Tiscareno.

ODESSA LEFRANCOIS – Retired Navy veteran, 12th year county health services employee and civil rights activist. Says her priorities are better health care delivery, especially to vets, better regional transportation infrastructure, unfair labor practices and community issues concerning seniors. She is 2nd Vice President of Local Union 1 and President of the NAACP East County Branch.

MONICA WILSON – Elected to the Antioch City Council in 2012. Her press release states her successes include helping grow local businesses and making public safety a top priority, securing local measures to hire and support more police officers. Frankly, she’s overstating her qualifications and accomplishments. Residents are now paying for two tax measures and experiencing a continuing understaffed police, code enforcement and animal control department. She has been endorsed by SEIU (Service Employees International Union and the Democrat leadership machine in the county.

DISTRICT 5 – Includes most of the portion of Antioch north of Highway 4

ANAMARIE AVILA FARIAS – current Martinez City Councilmember, elected in 2012, and current Board Member for the Juvenile Hall Auxiliary of Contra Costa County. Was a member of the Martinez Planning Commission for 8 years and served on the Parks and Recreation and Marina Commission. Employed for nearly 10 years with the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing & Community development and in 2015 was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown Jr. to serve as a Board Director for the California Housing Finance Agency. She is currently a Board Member for the Latino Caucus and has numerous union endorsements.

CONRAD DANDRIDGE – Former member of the Pacheco Municipal Advisory Council, This is 2nd time Dandridge, ran for the Board. In 2006 he ran for a District 4 seat in unincorporated Martinez. Sue Bonilla won that race. Dandridge is a program analyst for the Transportation Security Administration in Oakland. Claims to know District 5 well due to having worked s a Census Bureau field operations supervisor all over Contra Costa. Doesn’t believe Glover is an effective advocate for District 5, especially the unincorporated areas.

FEDERAL GLOVER – Former Pittsburg City Council Member, Served as Mayor from 1998 to 1999 and has been on the Board of Supervisors since 2000. He’s now running for his fifth term in office (no term limits in local government but there should be). His campaign manager is Mary Jo Rossi, whose name has come up in regard to backroom deals concerning the Navy land plan. Glover is another “flip flopper”. In the past he promised voters he’d “hold the line” on growth. However, campaign finance reports show he received at least $38,000+ from groups often seen to be in opposition to environmental concerns i.e. $$20,000 from Chevron and Tosco, $56,000+ from developers (the largest $15,000 from Homebuilders Assoc, $6,830 from Alves/Paramount, $5,000 from PROPAC and from Seeno $3,175. He’s voted for over 6,700 homes – 1,500 in Alamo Creek, 200 in Discovery Bay, Oakley – sphere of influence addition for homes (2,000 acres) in addition to over 5,000 homes he approved in Pittsburg. He also told residents (Contra Costa Times 1/14/2000 ) “It’s time to stand up and own up to the fact that our ability to bring BART further east is not going to happen.” Voted to give himself a 60% raise in 2006 then another 33% in 2014. But, after county staff and residents gathered enough signatures to force a referendum in 2015, Glover voted to reverse his vote on the 33% raise. Instead, he voted for a 14% pay raise, last year although the county employees only received a 4% raise. He’s endorsed by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa.

MIKE MENESINI – Former Martinez Mayor for 18 years and Councilman for eight years. He works in San Francisco as an Assistant District Attorney. Unsuccessfully ran for County Supervisor in 1992, Superior Court judge in 1994 and Contra Costa District Attorney in 2002. Left the city with a $30 million shortfall in pension and retiree health plans and only 64 percent of the funds they should have. Also allowed for pension spiking by the city’s police force and expensive, lifetime retiree health insurance benefits from their first day on the job, for themselves, spouses and children up to age 26.

DAN ROMERO – Mayor of Hercules. Joined the Hercules City Council in 2011 following the recall of previous members. Reelected in 2012. Had to deal with the $38 million mess from redevelopment spending by previous councils. Weathered controversy and attacks by fellow council member over who should be Mayor. Supported 2004 Franklin Canyon Measure M, which down zoned the area to one home for every 40 acres. Side note for Antioch residents – Romero voted to hire Steve Duran, as City Manager, who later left to become Antioch’s City Manager. He is a business owner with an insurance agency in Pinole.

Antioch Councilmember Monica Wilson, candidate for District 3, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, announced that she earned the endorsement of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1021.

“We support Monica for her strong support for high-quality County services, her commitment to economic development that works for working families, and her proven ability to unite and lead state/regional policy makers in protecting our Delta water from tunnel schemes,” said Dan Jameyson, SEIU 1021 Contra Costa Chapter President.

SEIU 1021 represents over 54,000 employees in Northern California in industries ranging from healthcare, non-profits, local governments and schools.

“SEIU 1021 is one of the County’s largest unions,” Monica said. “I’m honored by this endorsement because it shows that Contra Costa’s working families are behind my campaign and we have momentum.”

Wilson is a Workforce Service Specialist for the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County. District 3 includes Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen, Blackhawk, Diablo and most of Antioch. The election is June 7th.

County Supervisor Federal Glover, of Supervisorial District 5, earned the party’s coveted endorsement with support from 64 percent of elected and appointed Central Committee members. Martinez City Councilmember AnaMarie Avila Farias also demonstrated a significant showing. None of the other four announced candidates earned any support from members of the decision-making body.

“County Supervisor Federal Glover has served Contra Costa well for over 15 years, and we’re honored to stand by him once again,” said Party Chair Jeff Koertzen. “Nevertheless, we are gratified that multiple Democrats participated in our party’s endorsement process, demonstrating the strength of our bench.”

“Both Council Member Wilson and Board Member Burgis have fought strongly for Democratic values,” said Koertzen. “Monica previously served as Vice-Chair of this party and has spent years fighting successfully for Antioch residents, while Diane has shown to be a time-tested defender of the environment. We encourage District 3 residents to consider them both this June.”

The Central Committee will re-evaluate whether to endorse a candidate in District 3 following the June 7, 2016 statewide primary election and may come to an endorsement decision soon after election results are certified.

Candidate for County Supervisor in District 3 and Antioch City Council Member Monica Wilson, announced Monday that she has earned the endorsement of California Nurses Association.

“Monica Wilson is a champion for Contra Costa nurses and patients.” said Kati Johnson, a Perinatal RN at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. “The California Nurses Association’s is proud to endorse Ms. Wilson. She is committed to ensuring that our patients receive the care they deserve and that nurses have the support they need to continue serving our community. We unanimously support Monica and we know she is the best candidate to deliver real results.”

The California Nurses Association, together with the National Nurses Organizing Committee and the AFL-CIO, has more than 86,000 members in hospitals, clinics and home health agencies throughout the country. As one of the nation’s fastest growing labor and professional organizations, CNA has grown by nearly 400 percent in the past 15 years.

“I am grateful to have the support of the California Nurses Association.” said Wilson. “The compassion and work ethic of nurses is what inspires me to fight for what’s best for our community.”

District 3 includes Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, and Discovery Bay. The primary election is June 7, 2016.

The deadline for candidates for Contra Costa County Supervisor to file papers to run in the June election was at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11. However, the deadline was extended to Wednesday, March 16 in the race for District 3 Supervisor because the incumbent, Mary Piepho didn’t file for reelection. All six of the candidates expected to run for her seat filed their papers by the deadline.

Andersen Again for Two Terms in District 2

No one filed to run against District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen so she will get a free pass, this election.

Five Candidates in Fifth District by 5 PM, Federal files for Fifth Term, Farias not furious

But, some last minute maneuverings at the County Elections Office occurred on Friday, March 11th in the race for District 5 Supervisor, in which incumbent Federal Glover is seeking a fifth term. This time he will have four opponents, but not five, because one potential candidate who attempted to file at the last minute failed to qualify.

Glover was the first to file his papers, having done so on March 2nd. Martinez resident Conrad Dandridge, listed on the ballot as a Program Analyst, who began the process before any other candidate for the seat back on January 4th, filed his papers that day. Another candidate, Hercules Mayor Dan Romero had also filed his papers before 4:00 p.m.

Then, with less than an hour until the deadline, Martinez Vice Mayor AnaMarie Avila Farias filed her papers to run against Glover. About 10 minutes later, after she walked out of the Elections Office with Vince Wells, President of the county’s Professional Firefighters union Local 1230, former Martinez Mayor Mike Menisini, who had pulled papers on March 1st, walked in with former County Supervisor Tom Powers and political consultant Ray Sloan, and filed to run in the same race.

Then another Hercules resident, nursing administrator Deborah Campbell, a Democrat, who had pulled papers that same day, walked into the office with County School Board Trustee Jeff Belle, a member of the County Republican Central Committee. But, after she filed her papers, it was determined that Campbell did not have the required 20 valid signatures of registered voters in the district on her nomination papers, according to Elections Office staff. Since it was after the 5:00 p.m. filing deadline, she did not qualify for the ballot.

According to witnesses, Mary Jo Rossi, the consultant for both Glover and Concord Councilman Tim Grayson’s campaign for State Assembly, remained in the County Elections Office until 5:25 p.m. with Deborah Campbell, although the office closed at 5:00 p.m. Both Rossi and Campbell walked out of the building at the same time, the only non-county employees still in the office, that long.

According to a witness who chose not to be identified, Farias was “livid and witnessed what appeared to be political games going on” and believes Rossi recruited Menesini and possibly Dandridge, as well, to split the vote in Martinez to hurt Farias and help Glover.

When reached for comment, Farias stated “I wasn’t livid. But there is definitely a political machine at work in the county.”

Referring to Menesini, she said “I was surprised to see one of my former colleagues who lost for reelection in 2014 running for higher office.

“But, I think the more the merrier running for office,” Farias continued. “Because, at the end of the day it’s my constituency and voters who will decide.”

“It keeps you true to your elected office and true to who you are,” she added. “I like options. Don’t you?”

When reached for comment Rossi denied the accusations about recruiting Menesini.

“I have nothing to do with Mike’s candidacy,” she stated.

Menesini could not be reached for comment.

It was also speculated that Campbell was brought there by Belle to meet Rossi, and was recruited to help split the Hercules vote with Romero, which could also benefit Glover.

But, Belle said he didn’t recruit her.

“No. I did not,” he said. “I was simply assisting her with paperwork. I tried talking her out of running.”

FYI
The “right to vote”; which is a major part of our democracy; includes “the right to run for office if qualified”. The shenanigans that have occurred in the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors race, especially for District 5, are appalling. As a veteran and as a member of a family of veterans and U.S. Citizen, I am personally offended by what I witnessed by representatives of people in elected offices regarding this current election cycle. I have a front row seat. More to come!

Wells did not respond to a request for details of what he saw that motivated his comments.

District 5 stretches from the north side of Antioch, through Pittsburg and Bay Point, along Highway 4, includes Martinez, and stretches all the way to Hercules and the west side of Pinole, in West County.

Six Seek Supervisor in District 3

In the District 3 race for Supervisor the following candidates filed in the following order: NAACP East County Branch President Odessa Lefrancois, who began her campaign last November, was the first to file papers on Wednesday, March 9th. Oakley Councilman Doug Hardcastle, who began his campaign last September and was the first to start the process on January 12th, filed his papers on Thursday, March 10th, the same day as Antioch Mayor Wade Harper, who announced his campaign in December, after Piepho announced she would not be running for reelection.

Both Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson and East Bay Regional Parks District Board Member Diane Burgis, who also entered the race since Piepho’s announcement, filed their papers on Friday, the 10th. But, Burgis said that night, she was one signature short of the 20 required on her nomination papers and would be back this week to complete the process, which she did.

Brentwood Councilman Steve Barr, who was the last to jump into the race, filed his papers on Monday, March 14th. No other candidates pulled or filed papers in the race before the Wednesday, March 16th deadline.

The district includes most of Antioch, Oakley, Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen in East County, as well as Blackhawk, Diablo and Camino Tassajara in the San Ramon Valley.

If no candidate receives a majority of the votes in June, the top two candidates for Supervisor in each district will face off in November.

Odessa Lefrancois, a 16-year resident of East Contra Costa County and a 12-year county health services employee, made her candidacy for District 3 Supervisor official by completing her filing on Wednesday afternoon, March 9th, as supporters and volunteers dressed in “Vote for Odessa” shirts looked on at the County Office of Elections and Registration.

Informally beginning her campaign last November, by riding in a car with signs announcing her candidacy in Antioch’s Veterans Day Parade, Lefrancois is undeterred to join a race with five other candidates seeking to replace Mary Piepho.

“I’ve not only lived in the district for a long time, I’ve also worked (and still do) for the County for over a decade,” she said. “I’ve seen County governance both from the inside and the outside. More importantly, I’ve experienced, firsthand, the effects of Supervisor decisions as a resident as well as an employee. I have something unique that the other candidates don’t have – a dual perspective and experience.”

Recent decisions from the Supervisors have led Lefrancois to her run for Supervisor.

Filing her papers at the County Elections Office on Wednesday, March 9th, 2016.

“For nearly a decade, we have seen the County reduce or completely cut services, close down health care facilities, roll back employee salaries and benefits, and insist residents do more with less,” she said. “Supervisors preached sacrifice.”

But one decision in particular concretized Odessa Lefrancois’ determination to run.”

“When the Supervisors, minus Candace Andersen, voted to raise their own salaries by an unbelievable 33% while preaching sacrifice to everyone else, I knew this County needed new leadership,” she stated. “That decision was incredibly self serving. Leaders serve the public interest, not their own interest.”

On her priorities for the County, she said, “I am neither a career politician nor a political opportunist chasing the next office. I am a mother, a resident, a County health services employee, a retired Navy veteran, and a community volunteer.”

As a mother and resident, Lefrancois’ priorities are improved public safety and the preservation of green spaces and wetlands for families to enjoy.

As an employee, Lefrancois’ priorities are better regional transportation infrastructure and County leadership that will treat their employees fairly, and to lead by example.

As a Navy vet, Lefrancois’ priorities are better health care delivery to all, especially our men and women in uniform who served honorably but now have mental and/or physical health needs to heal.

Supporters who joined her at the County Elections Office.

According to her bio on the NAACP East County Branch website, two weeks after graduating from Lincoln High School in McClellanville, she joined the United States Navy.

During her military career she was trained as a hospital corpsman and a respiratory therapist. Training led to a military career that took her to over thirty-five states in the United States and five foreign countries (Japan, Korea, Philippines, Canada and Mexico). She retired from the military after 21 years of honorable service at the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7). After retirement, she went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Chapman University, in Orange County, California. Community involvement includes but not limited to Health Chair for Antioch Church Family and the current President of the East County National Association for the Advancement of Colored (NAACP) Branch.

Lefrancois is a proud mother of two children, Shane (28) and Lorraine (20) and three grandchildren. She enjoys bicycle riding, reading, traveling and most important, living a life of service to others. She is currently employed as a respiratory therapist at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Kaiser, Walnut Creek Medical Center. Lefrancois resides with her husband, Louis in Antioch.

The election is June 7th. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, the top two candidates will face off in the General Election in November.